What’s UNDOF? Why UN peacekeepers patrol the Israel-Syria border
January 25, 2025
The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is a peacekeeping force that has been deployed in the Golan Heights since 1974. The force was established after the Yom Kippur War, which saw fighting between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. The mission of UNDOF is to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and to help prevent further conflict.
UNDOF is composed of troops from a number of different countries, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Poland. The force is headquartered in the town of Al Khunaytirah in the Golan Heights.
UNDOF’s mandate is renewed every six months by the United Nations Security Council. The force’s current mandate expires on June 30, 2025.
In recent years, UNDOF has come under increasing pressure from both Israel and Syria. Israel has accused UNDOF of being biased in favor of Syria, while Syria has accused UNDOF of being ineffective in preventing Israeli attacks.
In 2018, Israel withdrew its troops from UNDOF, citing concerns about the force’s ability to protect its soldiers. Syria has also reduced its cooperation with UNDOF in recent years.
Despite the challenges it faces, UNDOF remains an important peacekeeping force in the Middle East. The force plays a vital role in monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and helping to prevent further conflict.
Additional information:
- UNDOF was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 350 on May 31, 1974.
- The force’s original mandate was to supervise the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces after the Yom Kippur War.
- UNDOF has been deployed in the Golan Heights ever since, with its mandate being renewed every six months by the United Nations Security Council.
- The force is currently composed of troops from 12 different countries.
- UNDOF’s headquarters is located in the town of Al Khunaytirah in the Golan Heights.
- The force’s mandate is to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and to help prevent further conflict.
- UNDOF has come under increasing pressure from both Israel and Syria in recent years.
- Israel withdrew its troops from UNDOF in 2018, citing concerns about the force’s ability to protect its soldiers.
- Syria has also reduced its cooperation with UNDOF in recent years.
- Despite the challenges it faces, UNDOF remains an important peacekeeping force in the Middle East.
What’s UNDOF? Why UN peacekeepers patrol the Israel-Syria border
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